Expression of Thymus and Activation-regulated Chemokine in die Kidney of MRL/lpr Mice / 中国医科大学学报

Objective To study the expression of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine(TARC)in the kidney of MRL/lpr mice and to elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.Methods The 24-hour urine protein of 4 MRL/lpr mice of 16 weeks of age and 4 age-and sex-matched BALB/c mice was measured.The expressions of TARC mRNA and protein in the kidneys of MRL/lpr mice and BALB/c mice were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot,respectively.Results The 24-hour urine protein and the expression level of TARC mRNA were significantly higher in MRL/lpr mice than in BALB/c mice(P＜0.05).The expression of TARC protein was detectable only in MRL/lpr mice.Conclusion The expression of TARC increases in the kidney of mice with systemic lupus erythematosus,suggesting that TARC may be involved in lupus nephritis in mice.

Transforming growth factor-beta promoted vascular endothelial growth factor release by human lung fibroblasts / 소아과

PURPOSE: The human lung fibroblast may act as an immunomodulatory cell by providing pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which are important in airway remodeling. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces mucosal edema and angiogenesis. Thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC) induces selective migration of T helper 2 cells. We investigated whether human lung fibroblasts produced VEGF and TARC, and the effects were augmented with the co-culture of fibroblasts and human bronchial smooth muscle cells (HBSMC), and whether dexamethasone can inhibit the proliferation and the release of VEGF in lung fibroblasts. METHODS: Human lung fibroblasts were cultured with and without HBSMC, growth-arrested in serum-deprived medium, and pretreated with dexamethasone for 16 hours. After 24-hour stimulation with platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and/or transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), culture supernatant was harvested for assays of VEGF and TARC. Cell proliferation was assayed using BrdU cell proliferation ELISA kit. RESULTS: 1) The release of VEGF was significantly increased after stimulation with TGF-beta, and its release was augmented when co-stimulated with PDGF and TGF-beta. 2) VEGF release induced by PDGF or TGF-beta was inhibited by dexamethasone. 3) There was no synergistic effect on the release of VEGF when human lung fibroblasts were co-cultured with HBSMC. 4) Dexamethasone did not suppress human lung fibroblasts proliferations. 5) Neither TGF-beta nor PDGF induced TARC release from lung fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: Human lung fibroblasts may modulate airway remodeling by release of VEGF, but they have no synergistic effects when co-cultured with HBSMC. Dexamethasone suppresses VEGF release, not proliferation of lung fibroblast.

Correlation between Different Chemokines Induced by Specific Allergens in Atopic Dermatitis / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE:Many patients with atopic dermatitis have shown different responses to treatment or different prognosis dependenting on the kinds of offending allergens. We attempted to evaluate the difference of mechanism in allergic inflammation between food allergens and aeroallergens by measuring chemokines, including TARC (Thymus and activation regulated chemokine), MDC (Marcrophage-derived chemokine), IL-18, CCL-28 (Chemokine receptor ligand-28) and ECP (Eosinophil cationic protein), and to investigate the correlation between the clinical severity and chemokine levels induced by food allergens and aeroallergens in atopic dermatitis. METHODS:Sixty-seven children with atopic dermatitis (39 males and 28 females) were recruited. Thirteen nonatopic children without atopic dermatitis (6 males and 7 females) were selected as controls. RESULTS:We obtained SCORAD index cut-off points that were similar to those established by clinical criteria. Comparisons between the groups of mild, moderate and severe atopic dermatitis revealed significant differences in serum total IgE and ECP levels. SCORAD index significantly correlated with total IgE, TARC, MDC and ECP levels. Serum IgE levels correlated with TARC and ECP. SCORAD index and total IgE strongly correlated to HDM. While IL-18, TARC, MDC and ECP levels strongly correlated to egg white and milk. In soybean, IgE and TARC and ECP levels significantly correlated with specific IgE levels. CONCLUSION:TARC, MDC and ECP might play a crucial role in the chronic inflammatory process of food-specific atopic dermatitis. In contrast, IgE-mediated mechanisms might have implications for HDM, when compared with food specific atopic dermatitis. These results suggest that pathogenic mechanisms of atopic dermatitis might be different according to relevant allergens.

Increased Serum Thymus and Activation-regulated Chemokine (TARC) Levels in Children with Atopic Dermatitis / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) is responsible for the trafficking of Th2 lymphocytes into sites of allergic inflammation. We tested whether TARC is a useful marker for childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) and we evaluated age-related differences in the level of TARC. METHODS: Serum TARC level, serum total IgE level, total eosinophil count and specific IgE level were measured in 401 children. They were characterized as having IgE-mediated atopic dermatitis (n=157), non-IgE mediated atopic dermatitis (n=107), or as healthy control subjects (n=137). RESULTS: TARC levels in AD significantly were higher than those in healthy control subjects. (152.9+/-11.6 vs 56.7+/-5.2 pg/mL, P< 0.05) Serum TARC levels significantly correlated with disease severity (SCORAD index) both in children with IgE mediated AD (r=0.670, P< 0.05) and children with non-IgE mediated AD. (r=0.605, P< 0.05) Serum TARC levels in control subjects decreased in accordance with age. (r=-0.201, P< 0.05) CONCLUSION: Serum TARC might be a useful marker for disease severity both in children with IgE mediated AD and children with non-IgE mediated AD. Serum TARC levels in control subjects decreased in accordance with ages.